Images from Japan, Asia, and the US Southwest

Suwa Jinja Festival-Fujisawa

Every August, the Suwa Shrine 諏訪神社 in the Katase area of Fujisawa holds its annual festival. Nearby districts sponsor cars (dashi 山車) decorated with lanterns, while children and young adults play drums and flutes as they are pulled through their areas. Finally all the cars gather in front of the shrine, and up seating areas of some are spun quite quickly. The center piece of the parade is the mikoshi (portable shrine 御輿) housing the spirit. At the end of the procession, the mikoshi is returned to the Shrine precincts. Upon removal of the lacquered carrying poles, it is set out for display.

A common and popular summer attraction at festivals, visitors pay 100 yen for a paper covered scoop. The goal is to get as many fish into the blue bowls before the paper rips. Sadly, the fish might make it home OK, but few last long afterwards.

The mikoshi is set within the shrine following the procession, and the shrine's lay supporters place it on a cart that will be moved into a temporary building for display during the remainder of the festival.